Elementary Educator Makes History for District

Fifth-grade teacher Megan Roth-Ueno is making history for the Port
Jefferson School District. After a rigorous application and selection
process she has been named a New York State Master Teacher, the first
for the district. She will join a reputable group of innovators and
leaders in STEM education who bring a unique perspective to enhancing
their students’ education.

According to Roth-Ueno, as a classroom teacher it is often difficult to
learn firsthand what is happening in other schools and programs. It
generally requires being out of a teacher’s own classroom in order to
visit other schools. The New York State Master Teacher Program will
enable her to learn about other programs outside of the school day and
help her become more aware of her cohort’s schoolwide programs and
eventually work to create and plan curriculum together.

“The NYSMTP is an opportunity for me to collaborate with and learn about
what other educators are doing in their classrooms,” she said. With a
realigned New York State science curriculum in the process, her
enthusiasm for collaboration also sparked an idea to create short
instructional science videos with her new colleagues.

Teaching since 1995 and in the Port Jefferson schools since 2000,
Roth-Ueno co-founded the Suffolk County Elementary Math Tournament just
over 10 years ago as there was no elementary opportunity in Suffolk
County. Its growth and annual tournament at Stony Brook University, is
supported by the Institute for STEM Education, where Roth-Ueno is
excited to be in a room of several hundred students who are enthusiastic
about math.

“We are extremely proud of Mrs. Roth-Ueno,” said Port Jefferson School
District’s Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Jessica Schmettan. “It is a testament to her dedication and hard work.”